Spring Cleaning Book Tag

I’d really like to do some spring clean but, ugh! I can’t work up the energy. Instead, I’ll do the Spring Cleaning Book Tag, which I found on Dragons & Zombies. It was created by booktuber Jen @ Book Syrup.

The struggle of getting started: a book/book series that you have struggled to begin because of its size.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Well, this is more a struggle to continue rather than to begin. I started reading this high-fantasy series, which is composed of 13 thick books, back in 2013, but by the fifth book, I was too annoyed with Jordan’s writing to continue and took a break from it, which led to me giving up. Thanks to audio books, my interest in it has been renewed and now I look forward to continuing the series after refreshing my memory of those I’ve already read.

Cleaning out the closet: a book and/or book series you want to unhaul.

Talon by Julie Kagawa

I usually don’t unhaul books but because I ran out of space, I had no choice. The first to go was Talon by Julie Kagawa, though I loved the texture of the cover. I almost kept it because of that; so too for The Fault in Our Stars: loved the cover, hated the story. I almost unhauled the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, but changed my mind because I kinda liked the first book and thought I might as well read the second since I already own it.

Opening windows and letting fresh air in: a book that was refreshing.

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

This book was a refreshing read because I’m not used to reading fantasy novels in which the protagonist is a middle-aged adult. Usually, the hero/protagonist is a kid/teen or starts out as a kid. The difference between Cazaril and the younger protagonists I’m used to was apparent from the beginning. He doesn’t need to prove himself because he’s already done that and isn’t quickly angered by slights because he knows some arguments aren’t worth it. He was humble and mature and I appreciated that.

Washing out sheet stains: a book you wish you could rewrite a certain scene in.

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

Let’s go back to the Wheel of Time series because I wish the relationship dynamics between men and women were relayed better. I was annoyed by it when I first read the books because I thought it odd that they kept criticizing each other. But after speaking with a friend, I realized that the characters are similar to people I see everywhere, even in my own family. So now I think what annoys me is how those sections are written. I wish it was a bit smoother.

However, I don’t wish to rewrite them myself. I doubt I could make it better.

Throwing out unnecessary knick-knacks: a book in a series that you didn’t feel was necessary.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

I don’t really have an answer for this one. I chose Wintersong not because I think it’s unnecessary, but because…there are parts of the book that seem like a different story because it went in a different direction.

It’s about a girl whose sister is stolen by the Goblin King. I didn’t like the protagonist, but the first half of the story was okay and I liked the writing. I’m tempted to say that the second half was unnecessary, but I think that would be wrong because the explanations we get there are needed. It’s just that the first part seems like an adventure and the second part is all mushy, mushy romance that made me constantly roll my eyes. I both liked and disliked how it ends.

Polishing the doorknobs: a book that had a clean finish.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

I don’t know what’s meant by “a clean finish,” so I chose The Arrival because the ending is sweet and I want everyone to read it.

Reaching to dust the fan: a book that tried too hard to relay a certain message.

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin

I liked A Wizard of Earthsea so I continued with the next two books in the series. Unfortunately, I didn’t like them as much as the first. I appreciated the protagonist’s growth in The Tomb of Atuan, but The Farthest Shore was a bit boring and beats you over the head with its message.

The tiring yet satisfying finish of spring cleaning: a book series that was tiring yet satisfying to get through.

Mad Ship by Robin Hobb

Again, if it wasn’t for my buddy read with Emily at Embuhlee liest, I’d probably have given up on this one long ago. Mad Ship has some boring spots, but toward the end, it began to get more interesting until I was so hooked that now I’m eager to know more about this world.

Looking forward to next spring: Tag 4 people you want to do this tag.

Hmm… I tag these bloggers to do some spring cleaning. 😛

Embuhlee liest

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